Entreamigos San Pancho Community Center

Non Profit Entreamigos in San Pancho community had amazing  Summer Success!
Entreamigos, located in the San Pancho community (San Francisco, Nayarit)  is an amazing non profit organization that offers recycling, gardens, art, a store, a restaurant and classes. Stop by to browse or for breakfast.
Its a great way to give!

Entreamigos Summer Workshops

It was entreamigos  biggest summer ever with 215 kids participating in events and 98 volunteers! Woo HOO!  Now that’s rockin! Four weeks of summer fun for the San Pancho kids all of ages in a variety of classes with the ages of children ranging from 4 to 14.  They had crazy adventures like Xtreme sports, paddle boarding, art, swim lessons and just about everything in-between.   There were more than 45 classes all taught by volunteers who  joined them from Canada, United States and all over Mexico.  These programs would never have made it if not for all of these amazing volunteers! Kudos to all of you who made this possible for the kids of San Pancho!
This summer 18 University students from the prestigious private Mexican Universities, Iberoamericano, located in Mexico City and ITESSO located in Guadalajara came to volunteer.  They joined  entreamigos to do their 480 hours of practical social service required for graduation.  This amazing and diverse group of kids brought their skills in product design, marketing, architecture, engineering and education to work on ongoing and new entreamigos projects.   These kids made a fun video about their experience. This video really shows off  all of the aspects of entreamigos, and volunteers at work. Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8HgSIDpKN8

50 SAN PANCHO KIDS VISIT CIRQUE DU SOLEIL!!!!
A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to Gilles Ste. Croix and Monique Voyer for inviting 50 San Pancho kids to see the preview showing of the Cirque du Soleil show, Varekai, that just opened in Guadalajara. What an amazing treat for these kids. The kids took a deluxe bus to Guadalajara, many visiting Guadalajara for their very first time.  They enjoyed front row seats and pizza afterwards.  It was an amazing opportunity!

Back to School
In Mexico, school started in August and the kids are back in school.  This year, thanks to the many, many donated backpacks and school supplies donated to entreamigos. These donations were able to help nearly 200 kids get a fun, fresh start to the year! So many brought in school supplies, and special thanks go out to Dream Trips volunteers from World Ventures, who have donated nearly 100 backpacks in their recent visits! Way to go Dream Trips!

The Scholarship Program…The Best Part for the Entreamigos Team
There has been given 71 Scholarships for students, and now 9 are attending Universities!
These programs would have never made it if not for all of the donations, and the time and energy of the amazing volunteers!

A special thanks to the director of entreamigos, Nicole Swedlow, who had a vision back in January of 2006, and continues to put in endless time and energy for entreamigos children and adults alike.
A Fun Journey  Started With a Vision
Nicole Swedlow began teaching arts and crafts on her old kitchen table in the street in front of a little storefront that she had rented. Her idea was to invite local artists to sell their crafts in the store and in turn for a reduced commission rate on sales, and in return they would be asked to teach an art class to children or adults in the San Pancho community.

The store sat empty and was not getting off the ground a cash gift of a friend, John Arner helped buy inventory to make the store look more like a store. This and “the project” began to attract visitors, artists and began to gain more interest.

In the summer of 2006, entreamigos had two breakthrough events with the start of the Summer Workshops and their first Planta San Pancho reforestation day.   In 2007 Indira Santos and Plantate Baronio joined entreamigos and together they expanded the upstairs of their storefront to create a small library. The Recycling program and the Recicla Parque initiatives took off, the Scholarship program was launched and by the end of 2008, it was clear that the activities of entreamigos could no longer be contained in the small space or the street. In April of 2009 the State Government granted entreamigos the use of a giant abandoned warehouse. With the amazing response from the community, along with funding of the Three Swallows Foundation, the building was remolded and has expanded into the San Pancho Community Center it is today.
April of 2009, when the State Government of Nayarit granted entreamigos the use of a giant abandoned warehouse (bodega). A resounding and generous response from the community coupled with the funding impulse of the Three Swallows Foundation, provided the resources necessary to remodel the building.

Entreamigos continues the work that began with Nicole back in 2006, seven years ago! They enjoy teaching what they know to others, and all are invited to join in. Although there are many ways to donate, like sponsoring a child in summer, or a scholarship student or a special project, the truth is that all of those things wouldn’t exist without the everyday, normal hard work of the entire entreamigos staff.
What a wonderful success for the San Pancho Community!
Their hours are: Monday to Friday    9am – 6pm and Saturday  10am – 2pm
Special events and classes may have different schedules.

If you would like to help with a donation, please click here or paste into your browser:
http://entreamigos.org.mx/get-involved/donate/

Discover the Entreamigos Community Center in the San Pancho
community on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico today!

 

Saving Turtles in San Pancho Mexico

In San Pancho Mexico, (also known as San Francisco Nayarit), the  San Pancho Mexico Turtle Project began  on April 16, 1993, when theLogo Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, A.C. received official recognition by the MexicanNursery Government to become the first environmental non-profit civil association of the region with the special interest in the protection of the marine turtle.  Through the Mexican Government, SEMARNAT (Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources) the Group was granted permission to continue its work along the neighboring beaches. The board of directors was created to carry out the objectives and goals via voting, with the officers now in standing; Frank D. Smith as Director, Maria Elvia Garcia Palmera, Secretary, and Rocio artinex Ocegueda as Treasurer.

They and the volunteers work day and night protecting the turtles by removing the eggs form the nests so poachers can’t collect them, usually at night. They have had terrific success! Frank also writes a monthly newsletter, and you can sign up for it here.

http://www.project-tortuga.org/contact.htm

Being a completely non-profit organization in San Pancho Mexico, they need your support, whether its you time, money or equipment. there is always a way to help out.

Nests Saved in San Pancho Mexico
The Number of nests recorded by the end of July came to 108, (down 16 nests from last July.)  Around 96 were placed in the box nurseryOlive Ridley, 5 were left in place on the beach and, unfortunately,  7 nests were taken by poachers. I suppose that is pretty good odds considering! All seven species of sea turtles are endangered worldwide and all are protected by law. Turtle meat, eggs, leather or shells are illegal to own or to sell and the penalties are very severe.
This year the almost extinct Leatherback turtle nested in San Pancho. There is a huge difference in the size between the Leatherbacks and the Ridley species. The leatherbacks are truly amazing giant turtles! They did not see the mother turtle on the first  nesting, but got to release those little darlings, helping to ensure the species survival. Most of the turtles laying eggs on the Riviera Nayarit are of the Ridley species and the Pacific Green Turtle. 

They rely on volunteers, and this July 2013 they are: Joslin, Starlie and Summer Bertrand, Kristen Barbour, Patricia Dombrowski, Megan Ewald, Lisa, Carly and Annie Hoffner, USA and Amalia Sedlmayer, Germany, Manuel Murrieta, México, and Lisa Fisher, Canada.
These volunteers not only take care of the nurseries, and collect the eggs at night, but also clean up the trash on the beaches. Did you know that turtles eat jellyfish? Now, there is a happy thought, if you have ever been stung by one!
Well, the turtles also mistake plastic for food! The plastic holders that hold the bottles can also get wrapped around animals bodies, necks and faces. Please, don’t litter, and help pick up the trash when you can. This San Pancho Mexico Turtle Team is AWESOME!

When to see a Turtle Release
The turtle releases in San Pancho Mexico are at the sunset hour, down in front of the restaurants on the San Pancho beach. The hatchlings look for the subtle light reflecting off the surf and waves to direct them towards the sea.Hatchlings Other forms of  lighting can point them in the wrong direction, and wandering about on the beach can lead to almost certain death. Even hatchlings that eventually find their way to the water can be too exhausted to swim – becoming easy pickings for fish. The lights from houses and restaurants play a large role in the disruption of nesting sea turtles and they can get lost or confused, and also confusing to the hatchlings.Olive Ridley

There has also been some concern with the heavy rains and flooding, as the beach nursery could get washed away.  The turtle nests need to remain dry for the first 12 days of incubation.  When eggs drop from the nesting turtle they are soaked in a antibiotic water solution, glossy, cream-white in color.  At the point when the eggs hit the sand its shell must quickly turn a dry, chalk-white color.  This transformation will allow the eggs to shed water, sand and bacteria, and most importantly, it will allow it to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen.  Although white eggs may die if they receive heavy rain or flooding waves anytime within the first twelve days of incubation.

How do the Turtle Eggs breathe???
How do eggs breathe under eighteen inches of damp sand??? Its all about the tide coming in and out.  As the tide goes out, a large amount of water under the beach will go out with it. This allows air to be drawn down through the sand and around the nest.  As the time come in, it pushes carbon dioxide up and out of the next to the surface, much like an air bellow. And…this is how they can breathe…its so amazing! Thanks for all of the terrific information Frank!

If you have information on the location of a nests or a nesting turtle, or someone poaching a nest or capturing a turtle, please contact Frank and the gang at 045-322-191-1475 or 258-4100.
 Joslin has created their new and fun facebook page :

https://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Pancho-Turtles/179273792083463?ref=hl

These folks in San Pancho Mexico have really helped save the turtle population here on the Riviera Nayarit.
Find out more on their website at
http://www.project-tortuga.org/newsletters/nwsltr137.html, and how you can help, or come out out to San Pancho Mexico, down on the beach at 8:30pm for a hatching release. If you have never experienced this, you will find that it opens your heart with joy, and it is a great experience for all the kids.
Thanks to Frank and the San Pancho Turtle Project team for the information and the fun photos!

Enjoy the experience of a turtle release on the beach with the San Pancho Turtle Project  on the beautiful Riviera Nayarit in San Pancho Mexico.

 

 

San Pancho Music Festival in Mexico

Its that time of year again, and the 13th annual San Pancho Music Festival is happening on February 22 through the 24th.
They will feature performing artists from the region of Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, as well as musicians from the United States and Latin America.  The San Pancho Music Festival has really come a long way and grown from the original concept of a backyard venue of a local resident in 2001. Click here for last years photos!

San Pancho, also traditionally known as San Francisco,  is located on the Riviera Nayarit just north of Sayulita and South of
Lo de Marcos off of the 200 highway  in Mexico. A small quaint town filled families and unity, this town is also chalked with Mexican culture, art and wildlife. The San Pancho estuary holds many birds and other wildlife, with clean pristine beaches making San Pancho a place to go and be remembered.

The location of the San Pancho Music festival is at the Plaza del Sol, and is easy to locate, as there is only one main avenida. As you come into San Pancho, it is off of the main street on the left, about half way into town. Last year in early 2012 the  Plaza del Sol in San Pancho was remodeled and it’s facilities updated.  A new stage was completed to enhance the Plaza as an entertainment venue.  Public rest-rooms were modernized, the portico was remodeled with new landscape installed.   The Plaza is now better suited for the ever increasing crowds drawn to the community celebrations and festivals.

The San Pancho music and  fun will begin at 5pm each day, with performances up until 11pm each night with fun a jam session Saturday evening. The lineup for music looks like fun this year.
Here they are :

Friday 2/22
5pm – Folkloric Dancers
5:45pm – Juan-Ted (rock-n-roll, blues, pop, guitar)
6:30pm – Frida’s Eyebrow (blues, folksy ballads)
7:15pm – Pantera Fantasma
8pm – Dave Fisher & the 8 O’clock Band (folk, ballads, guitar)
8:45pm – Los Bertos y Las Muses
9:30pm – The Duvalin Band (classic rock, pop)
10:20pm – Atrakadero (Latin ballads and Banda)

Saturday 2/23
5pm – Leonardo (Swedish hang)
5:45pm – Joe Hadlock (jazz, pop, keyboards)                                     
6:30pm – Uiok and Friends (classic, new age, pop)
7:15pm – Werther Ellerbrock (blues, pop, rock, guitar)
8pm – Jeff Oster (smooth jazz, trumpet & flugelhorn)
8:45pm - Steve O’Connor & Doug Robinson (jazz, keyboards)
9:45pm – Banderas Bay Jazz Allstars (jazz)
10:15pm – Jam Session with:

·         Jeff Oster, trumpet
·         Chas Eller, keyboards
·         Bryan Savage, alto sax
·         Steve York, bass
·         Werther Ellerbrock, electric guitar
·         Lazaro Poey, drums
·         Doug Robinson, melodica
·         Steve O’Connor, acoustic guitar

Sunday 2/24
5pm - to be announced                                                
6pm – Luna Rumba
7pm – Tatewari (flamenco)
7:45pm – Beto, Carlos, and Carlita (traditional ballads)
8:15pm – Latcho & Andrea, The Blonde Gypsies (flamenco, gypsy boogaloo)
9:15pm – Los Compas (Nortena music, Latin)
10:30pm – Mariachi / folklorico

It is a truly wonderful balance of amateurs and professional performers coming together for 3 days to share an unforgettable and enriching musical experience in one of the most beautiful regions of Mexico.  Come early and enjoy the day and the San Pancho Beach.

The San Pancho Hostel is offering rooms on Saturday for 1/2 price! Stay Saturday, and get Sunday FREE, along with a late checkout on Monday!

That’s a sweet deal, and makes for a very fun weekend! 
You an contact them here.


Discover the San Pancho Music Festival on the Riviera Nayarit in beautiful Mexico!


 

Music on the Riviera Nayarit San Pancho Style

Its that time of year again, and the  12th annual San Pancho Music Festival will be opening in San Francisco (San Pancho), Nayarit, Friday February 24th at 5:00pm on the beautiful Riviera Nayarit in Mexico. The Festival will be held for three days, Friday through Sunday the 24th through the 26th.  Performances are free to the public and begin each afternoon at 5pm, typically ending prior to 12pm midnight.

San Pancho Music Festival History

San Pancho’s Music Festival is a vibrant, eclectic expression of performing art traditionally held annually for 3 days during the last weekend of February. It began informally in 2001, and by 2006 included some 116 performers. The Music Festival attracts some of the most colorful musicians from around the world, including international acts from Europe, the U.S., Chile, Guatemala, France and Germany. Regional talent has also been retained to include the traditional Mexican and Latin music of local musicians. (Werther Ellerbrock, on left and below Dave Fisher, both played in the 2011 event)

Musicians Play for Free

Traditionally there is no fee to attend, and performers are not paid. The Festival is entirely supported by the gracious contributions of local musicians and international recording artists, and by the local residents of San Pancho. Artists come to perform because they enjoy performing in the intimate venue and magical surroundings of San Pancho. It is a truly wonderful balance of amateurs and professional performers coming together for 3 days to share an unforgettable and enriching musical experience in one of the most beautiful regions of Mexico. Donations are encouraged, but there is no intent for the Festival to profit from the performances. Additionally, proceeds from sales of music and video CD’s go directly to the performing artists.

San Pancho Community Park

This year the Festival has been moved to the community park in San Pancho due to street construction and remodeling of the Plaza. Seating in the park is festival seating only, and is somewhat limited. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets. Restaurants like the Blue Pig and bars like Ponchitos, who make the best drinks in town, and shops like  Galeria Serendipity with amazing native Indian beading and the cool kite shop San Pancho Aire Paplotes  next door that has kites and very colorful windsocks. They will all be open throughout the event to serve the crowd. There are also plenty of rentals at San Pancho Rentals…Caren will be happy to find the perfect place to stay so there is no worry about drinking and driving. Eat, drink, dance and be merry in San Pancho!

 

San Pancho Music Festival Itinerary

Check out and see who is playing so you don’t miss your favorite Riviera Nayarit band! Its time to get your groove on!

FRIDAY Feb. 24th

5:00 Nuiwarika (Grupo de Danza – Folklore Dancing)

6:00 Olivia de la Cruz

7:00 Frida’s Eyebrow

8:00 No Walls

9:00 Steve O’Connor

10:00 Jeff Oster

SATURDAY Feb. 25th

5:00 – open -

6:00 La Turquesa

7:00 The Coolerators

8:00 Werther Ellerbrock

9:00 Banderas Bay Jazz Allstars

10:00 Jam Session (with others to be announced)

Jeff Oster, trumpet Chas Eller, keyboards

Bryan Savage, alto sax Steve Goldberg, flugelhorn

Werther Ellerbrock, guitar Dov Schiller, percussion

Tom Lillienthal, bass Lazaro Poey, drums

SUNDAY Feb. 26th

5:00 – open -

5:30 Los Compas (musica nortena)

6:00 Awacero (trova Mexicana)

7:00 Sons of the Beach (featuring Jodi Moran)

8:00 Latcho & Andrea (Blonde Gypsies)

9:00 Tatewari

9:45 Jazz Tubo (with Beto and Carlos)

10:30 Atrakadero

For more current information and directions, please visit the Music Festival website: http://www.sanpanchomusicfestival.com

Enjoy the sounds of the Riviera Nayarit in beautiful San Pancho Mexico and have a great time dancing and eating at the San Pancho Music Festival 2012.

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